Chilean World Cup star Sanchez will make his Gunners bow after his £32million move from Barcelona in the Emirates Cup, beginning with a cameo against Benfica on Saturday.

Wenger accepts that Arsenal became too easy to play against last term, especially when they lost Theo Walcott for the campaign in January.

The former Barcelona man , though, gives him extra versatility, poise, a goal threat and above all a quality that can only come naturally, part of a statement of Arsenal intent.

"I love pace and when we lost Walcott we suffered a little bit, yes, on that front," conceded Wenger.

"So I took him because he is a player who has the qualities of Walcott, he goes behind the defenders off the ball.

"And with the quality of his runs he can be very important for us. I think he will give us an extra dimension, in terms of quality and threat. And I hope I’m right."

Wenger added: "He first came on my radar when he played at Udinese and then afterwards, when he went to Barcelona.

"He is a striker. He’s a good finisher, who made a great impression in Italy. I saw him there and he was really outstanding.

"It was a bit more difficult for him at Barcelona it was a bit more difficult but it’s like you can see with Neymar at that club, there you have Messi.

"When you see Neymar with Brazil and Neymar with Barcelona he’s not the same.

"I like the fact Sanchez can play left, right, up front and that’s why I went for him."

Sanchez makes his debut as Wenger put pressure on Jack Wilshere to deliver on his potential after three injury-scarred years.

The England midfielder was in Wenger’s bad books after last month’s holiday smoking pictures but the Gunners chief insisted: "It’s a big season for Jack.

"But this is the best shape he’s been in for the pre-season in the last three years. He has prepared and he is rid of his ankle problems. If he can maintain that I think he will have a great season but I agree that this is a very important season for him."